170323-N-FT178-002 7th FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (March

170323-N-FT178-002 7th FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (March 23, 2017) Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Eric Perez, from Rock Springs, Texas, observes Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) come alongside fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) during a replenishment-at-sea. Lake Champlain is on a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of the U.S. 3rd Fleet in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia-Pacific regularly and routinely for more than 70 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan K. Serpico/Released)